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Newcastle fans beg club to announce Miguel Almiron as fears grow among supporters
NEWCASTLE fans have begged the club to announce the signing of Miguel Almiron as the transfer deadline approaches.
Newcastle have agreed a club-record fee with Atlanta United for Paraguay international Almiron, but the deal has not yet been announced.
Rafa Benitez has been honest about his frustrations with Newcastle’s transfer policy in the past but the reported £21million fee for the forward has fans delighted.
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However, the deal is taking sometime to announce after the medical was completed this morning, leaving some supporters on Twitter worried.
One fan said: “When are Newcastle announcing Almiron? What’s the hold up?”
Other fans added: “Just announce Almiron PLEASE.”
“What’s the hold up with the Almiron deal?”
“Why have we not announced Almiron?”
Some followers are less worried about the delay, but are excited that the club are planning a major announcement.
One tweet said: “I imagine the club are throwing together some announcement video for Almiron. Hence the delay.”
“I believe, but don’t shoot the messenger, that they will not announce Almiron until after 2pm as agreed with Atlanta United due to the time difference," another added.
Local reporter Lee Ryder believes that the announcement is only a matter of time.
He tweeted: “Miguel Almiron spent the night in Newcastle last night and can't wait for the challenge ahead of him.
“He's already impressed with the club and passion of the fans. He feels fit and ready to play.”
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie is also confident that the agreement is imminent.
He said: “Almiron has been here on Tyneside since yesterday afternoon. He started his medical late yesterday afternoon and was up at the training ground.
“I expect him up at the training ground again later today to finalise the deal.”
NEWCASTLE TRANSFER UPDATE - ALMIRON SIGNS (4.30PM)
Newcastle have completed their move for Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron, the club have announced.
The 24-year-old Paraguay international has joined the Magpies on a five and a half-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £20million, eclipsing the £16million they paid for England striker Michael Owen in 2005.
Almiron told NUFC TV: "I'm very happy and eager to start and to meet my new team-mates. The league is very competitive, this is a historic club, and Rafa Benitez himself were the main reasons why I am here now.
"I think it is a great responsibility, something beautiful for me, and I will try to offer the best I can to repay the trust the club put in me."
Benitez was delighted to have got his number one January target.
Benitez said: "We were following Miguel Almiron for a while and we saw a player with some pace in attack, who can play behind the striker. We have someone who can score goals and give assists.
"We know that MLS is a different challenge to the Premier League, but he has the potential to do what we are expecting and what we need.
"From talking to the lad, you can tell that he is really focused and wants to do well. He wants to be successful and he wants to help the team, to score goals and give assists if it is possible.
"His impact in MLS has been really good - he's been one of the best players this year - and hopefully he can give us more competition and more quality in the final third.
"I am pleased that the hard work behind the scenes has ended positively and I thank everyone for their efforts."